As I read this morning from Mark 2: 1
– 12; I felt a special sense of urgency. I was reflecting on the types of people we encounter every day in
our Christian walk and our churches, just like Jesus did on this day. Jesus sat in the house (church/meeting place)
and was actively involved in teaching those present.
I noticed five
types of people present on this day; like with most days Jesus preached.
One, there was a crowd … These people were there simply to see what was
happening, maybe they wanted to see a miracle, or maybe a family member had
dragged them to see Jesus. I think about the large crowds that pay good money
to go to sporting events, or concerts and often wonder how many are simply
there out of obligation to someone.
In the same token I often wonder how many people are in churches and
just come out of obligation to parents, spouse, children, or friends and they
are simply a part of the crowd.
Second,
there was the Religious people … The Bible tells us the Scribes were
present. The religious leaders, scholars, students of the Old Testament and
Jewish Law. Their philosophy was like most of the religious leaders of our day
(Understand sometimes religious leaders, don’t have to be the pastor, it
can be
deacons or other people within the church that are convinced God is
only going to do it one way). These guys wanted to argue about Christ healing and saving
a person. They would argue that
preachers wear a suit, preach from the right version of the Bible, talk with a
certain accent, and Jesus simply laughed at them and rebuked them.
Third, there was the Sold-Out
friends … These guys had attitude, their friend
needed a touch from God, and whatever it took to get it they were going to accomplish it today.
The Bible said there was no room to get to where Jesus was because of the
crowd, so they went on the roof and tore a hole in the roof and lowered their
friend down on a cot (the NASB uses the word pallet), right in front of Jesus.
My
pastor Roger Webs states that we often to should spell Faith as “R.I.S.K”
sometimes we need to take the risk and step out in Faith and rip the roof off
and get people into the presence of God.
How far would you go to get your family
member or friend in front of Jesus, to see their healing or more importantly
for them to know Christ as Savior?
Ironically,
he got two blessings that day he got healed and was able to walk out with his
cot in hand, but he also had an encounter with God that would forever change
his destiny and allow him to spend eternity with Christ in heaven. There is a way to
get people int0 the church, so that they can receive their healing, and more
importantly that they can come to know HIM as Savior.
Fourth,
there was the friend that needed a touch from God … We don’t know how long
he had been paralyzed. However, at this point in his life he needs to be
touched by Christ. There was nothing he could do on his own, I’m sure he had
seen all the doctors in town, he felt it was hopeless until he heard Jesus was
in town, and he was able to get his friends to help.
Fifth, and most
importantly Christ was in the House! … Let me ask
the question to pastors and religious leaders,
is Christ allowed in your service today?
Sadly, I know pastors and church members are more worried about not
offending people, or sharing a message of positive thinking, encouraging
thought, or a modern-day history lesson than introducing people to Jesus.
Folks, it is time for the Church to
stand up and allow Christ to take His rightful place in His House. We need
pastors and religious leaders to Preach Christ high and lifted up, for members
to get so excited that they will go out of their way to get people in the
church, so they can receive their healing, and more importantly that they can
come to know HIM as Savior.
The
question is simple ….
Which one the four are you (we know we can’t be Christ). However, every one
that reads this blog post is one of the four. Are you just a part of the Crowd
with no real interest, are you a religious leader that knows of Christ but
never had a personal encounter, are you the individual that needs a personal
touch from Christ and to come to know HIM as Savior, or are you the friends
that are Sold-Out and willing step out in faith and take the RISK to impact
your friends, and family life with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
